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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Walker

Xavi Simons sparks Rangers warning as ex Ibrox target's PSV form has Dutch icon giddy

Iconic Rafael van der Vaart has named former Rangers linked Xavi Simons as PSV's main danger man after an impressive start to life in Holland.

The Europa League finalists welcome PSV to Ibrox next week with the second leg in the Netherlands for a place in the Champions League group stage. Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's side were strongly linked with a move for the 19-year-old former PSG wonderkid, but he opted instead for a transfer to PSV.

He introduced himself with a goal on his debut against Ajax in the Johan Cruyff Shield and former Real Madrid and Spurs star van der Vaart, who won 109 caps for the Netherlands, has been hugely impressed with Dutch youngster Simons. He said: "I do like to watch PSV. They are a very entertaining watch. They have some nice talents and I really like seeing Xavi Simons play. It seems like we had heard about him for years without anyone actually seeing him play.

"But now that we have finally seen what he can do, it's very clear he is going to be a really great player. And it is great to see him play football in his own country. He is an exciting talent". Meanwhile, Dutch icon Ruud Gullit has told PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy to forget about style and concentrate on results, ahead of their showdown with Rangers.

He said: "PSV are not a glamorous club, but they get the job done. It's good for Ruud van Nistelrooy that he has already won his first trophy with the Johan Cruyff Shield. Beating Ajax in the final will give the team huge confidence.

"My message to PSV is to be patient and not worry about how they play. You don't have to win the possession battle to win the game. It's about the result and not about playing good football."

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